Cowling for a Guideway Vehicle

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a guideway vehicle has a first end, a second end, a support surface, and a cowling coupled to its first end or second end. The support surface is configured to support an intermodal container for transport along a guideway system. The cowling has an outer surface that slopes upwardly from the first end to a cowling edge such that the intermodal container may be placed proximate the cowling edge during transport of guideway vehicle on the guideway system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/978,968, entitled “COWLING FOR AN AUTOMATED TRANSPORTVEHICLE,” which was filed on Oct. 10, 2007.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure generally relates to guideway vehicles, and moreparticularly, to a cowling for a guideway vehicle and a method of usingthe same.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Shipment of product by railway line has been widely accepted as anefficient means of transporting product over relatively long distances.Railway lines typically include a pair of elongated tracks for supportand direction of a train having multiple railway cars. Motive force forthe train is usually provided by a particular type of railway car thatis commonly referred to as an “engine.” The engine and other non-poweredrailway cars may be aligned in an end-to-end relationship with oneanother such that each railway car may be remain relatively close toanother railway car in front of it.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one embodiment, a guideway vehicle has a first end, asecond end, a support surface, and a cowling coupled to its first end orsecond end. The support surface is configured to support an intermodalcontainer for transport along a guideway system. The cowling has anouter surface that slopes upwardly from the first end to a cowling edgesuch that the intermodal container may be placed proximate the cowlingedge during transport of guideway vehicle on the guideway system.

Some embodiments of the disclosure may provide numerous technicaladvantages. Some embodiments may benefit from some, none, or all ofthese advantages. According to one embodiment for example, the cowlingmay be operable to reduce drag caused by air turbulence during movementthrough the air. The guideway vehicle of the present disclosure maytherefore provide enhanced efficiency and stability for movement alongthe guideway system.

Other technical advantages may be readily ascertained by one of ordinaryskill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of embodiments of the disclosure will beapparent from the detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of an aerodynamicguideway vehicle according to the teachings of the present disclosure onwhich one example of an intermodal container is placed;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the aerodynamic guideway vehicleof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the aerodynamic guideway vehicle ofFIG. 1 on which another example intermodal container is placed;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partial, side-elevational view of the aerodynamicguideway vehicle of FIG. 1 showing several components of its cowling;and

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a series of actions that may be performedto transport intermodal container of FIG. 1 or 3 using the aerodynamicguideway vehicle according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The aerodynamic aspects of a typical train having numerous railway carsmay not be important due to the relatively close proximity of onerailway car to another. That is, air movement around one railway car mayserve to shield another railway car following behind from unwantedturbulence that may hamper its efficient movement through the air.

Another form of transportation commonly referred to as a guideway systemdiffers from the railway system in that guideway vehicles associatedwith these guideway systems are usually self-powered and thus typicallytravel over the guideway system one at a time. These guideway vehiclesgenerally include a cargo bay for storage of product as well as a motorfor movement along the guideway system. The guideway system generallyincludes a central guideway made of a structurally rigid material, suchas metal or concrete, that directs the path of the guideway vehicle.Because these guideway vehicles typically travel alone, turbulencecaused by movement through the air may cause a significant loss ofefficiency.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an aerodynamic guideway vehicle 10 thatmay provide a solution to this problem as well as other problems.Aerodynamic guideway vehicle 10 has a first end 12, a second end 14,wheels 16 for movement along a guideway system 18, and an upper supportsurface 20 for support of an intermodal container 22. According to theteachings of the present disclosure, aerodynamic guideway vehicle 10also includes cowlings 24 a and 24 b coupled to its first end 12 and/orsecond end 14 that may be operable to reduce drag caused by airturbulence during movement. In this particular embodiment, cowlings 24 aand 24 b are included on the first end 12 and second end 14; however, itshould be appreciated that only one cowling 24 a or 24 b may be providedon either the first end 12 or second end 14 for reduction of turbulenceduring movement along guideway system 18.

Cowlings 24 a and 24 b may be formed of any suitable material. In oneembodiment, cowlings 24 a and 24 b are each formed of one or more sheetsof material, such as metal or fiberglass, that are bent or molded intotheir desired shape. Each cowling 24 a or 24 b has a cowling edge 26.The intermodal container 22 may be placed on the upper support surface20 such that the cowling edge 26 of each cowling 24 a or 24 b isgenerally proximate to intermodal container 22. In this manner, thecross-sectional shape of cowling edge 26 generally conforms to thecross-sectional shape of intermodal container 22 such that a generallylaminar airflow may be maintained across the intermodal container 22during movement.

Intermodal container 22 may include any suitable type of container forhousing product during shipment. In one embodiment, intermodal container22 has a structure that provides for transport over a roadway usingtrucks and transport over a guideway system 18. That is, intermodalcontainer 22 may be transported by truck or aerodynamic guideway vehicle10 without placement in another housing structure. The intermodalcontainer 22 as shown is generally box-shaped and adapted for placementon upper support surface 20 of the aerodynamic guideway vehicle 10.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of aerodynamic guideway vehicle 10that is configured on guideway system 18. Guideway system 18 generallyincludes a vertical element referred to as a guideway 28 that iscentrally disposed on a running surface 30. Aerodynamic guideway vehicle10 has a guideway engagement structure 32, which may include a linearinduction motor for providing a motive force for aerodynamic guidewayvehicle 10. In other embodiments, aerodynamic guideway vehicle 10 mayinclude any type of motor for movement along guideway system 18.Guideway engagement structure 32 engages guideway 28 such thataerodynamic guideway vehicle 10 follows a path dictated by the path ofguideway 28. Running surface 30 may be provided for support of thewheels 16 of aerodynamic guideway vehicle 10.

FIG. 3 shows another example of aerodynamic guideway vehicle 10 whosecowlings 24 a and 24 b may be adjusted for transport of an intermodalcontainer 36 having differing dimensions than intermodal container 22 ofFIG. 1. Intermodal container 36 differs in size from intermodalcontainer 22 of FIG. 1 due to wheels 38 and additional supportstructures 40 configured on intermodal container 36 that are typicallyused for transport by semi-trailer trucks over a conventional roadway.Intermodal containers 36 of this type may have a length of up toapproximately fifty-four feet long. Adjustment of cowlings 24 a and 24 bwill be described in detail below.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partial, side-elevational view showing severalcomponents of a cowling 24 a according to the teachings of the presentdisclosure. Although only one cowling 24 a is shown and described, itshould be understood that the other cowling 24 b may include similarelements and features.

Cowling 24 a has a length L that is adjustable such that cowling edge 26cowling 24 a may be adjusted to be relatively adjacent to eitherintermodal container 22 (FIG. 1) or intermodal container 36 (FIG. 3). Insome embodiments, cowling 24 a may be adjusted to generally conform tothe cross-sectional profile of any suitable container transported byaerodynamic guideway vehicle 10. In this manner, the space between theintermodal container 22 and the cowling edges 26 may be made relativelysmall for reduction of turbulence during movement. Intermodal containers22, such as shown in FIG. 1, may have a length of approximately fortyfeet long. Thus, the length L of at least one of the cowlings 24 a and24 b may be adjusted to accommodate intermodal containers having alength that ranges from approximately forty to fifty-four feet inlength.

In the particular embodiment shown, adjustment of length L may beprovided by panels 24 a′, 24 a″, and 24 a′″ that lie adjacent oneanother and slidable relative to one another for expansion orcontraction of cowling 24 a. Panels 24 a′, 24 a″, and 24 a′″ may beexpanded and contracted by actuation of a motor 42 coupled to a linkageassembly 44. In other embodiments, the length L of cowling 24 a may beadjusted by any suitable approach, such as manually using an arm-crankthat expands and/or contracts panels 24 a′, 24 a″, and 24 a′″ relativeto one another.

Cowling 24 a also has a height H that may be adjusted to conform to thecross-sectional shape of the intermodal container 22 or 38. As shown,intermodal container 38 (FIG. 3) has a greater height than the height ofintermodal container 22 (FIG. 1). In the particular embodiment shown,height H is adjusted by pivoting cowling 24 a proximate first end 12about a hinge assembly (not shown). In other embodiments, the height Hof cowling 24 a may be adjusted using any suitable approach.

Adjustment of the cowling height H or length L may be provided by anadjustment mechanism, such as a manual control mechanism or a computercontrol mechanism. Certain embodiments incorporating adjustable cowlings24 a and 24 b may provide an advantage in that the cowlings 24 a and 24b may be adapted to conform to various types of intermodal containershaving various lengths and heights. In this manner, turbulence caused bya structural discontinuity normal to the direction of airflow may beeffectively controlled and mitigated.

In one embodiment, actuation of motor 42 and linkage assembly 44 may becontrolled by a controller circuit 46 housed in cowling 24 a thatautomatically adjusts the length L and/or height H according todimensions of intermodal container 22 or 36. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors 48 may be included that measure ambient wind speed or winddirection. Controller circuit 46 may be configured to receive suchmeasurements and adjust the length L and/or height H of cowling 24 a forreduction in wind turbulence during transport of intermodal container 22or 36 on aerodynamic guideway vehicle 10.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to aerodynamicguideway vehicle 10 without departing from the scope of the disclosure.The operations of cowlings 24 a and 24 b may serve other purposesbesides providing an aerodynamic structure for movement of aerodynamicguideway vehicle 10 along guideway system 18. For example, cowlings 24 aand 24 b may provide a housing for additional elements of aerodynamicguideway vehicle 10, such as its motor that provides motive force formovement along guideway system, or as a passenger compartment forprotection of passengers during movement of aerodynamic guideway vehicle10. Additionally, operations of controller circuit 46 may be performedusing any suitable logic comprising software, hardware, and/or otherlogic. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set.

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a series of actions that may be performedto transport intermodal container 22 or 36 using aerodynamic guidewayvehicle 10. In act 100, the process is initiated.

In act 102, an intermodal container 22 or 36 is placed on aerodynamicguideway vehicle 10. Aerodynamic guideway vehicle 10 is any suitabletype of vehicle adapted for transport along a guideway system 18, suchas a guideway system having a guideway 28 centrally disposed over arunning surface 30.

In act 104, the length L of cowling 24 a or 24 b is adjusted to make itscowling edge 26 essentially adjacent to intermodal container 22 or 36.The length L of cowling 24 a or 24 b is manually adjusted orautomatically adjusted. For automatic adjustment, a controller circuit46 that is coupled to a motor 42 and associated linkage assembly 44 maybe employed for contracting or expanding panels 24 a′, 24 a″, and 24a′″.

In act 106, the height H of cowling 24 a or 24 b is adjusted. Height Hof cowling 24 a or 24 b may be manually or automatically adjusted in amanner similar to adjustment of its length L. In one embodiment, cowling24 a or 24 b is pivotally coupled about the first end or second end ofaerodynamic guideway vehicle 10 for adjusting its height H.

In act 108, intermodal container 22 or 36 is transported along guidewaysystem 18. In one embodiment in which a controller circuit 46 isprovided for automatic adjustment of the length L or height H ofcowlings 24 a and 24B, controller circuit 46 may receive measurementsfrom one or more sensors 48 indicating wind direction and wind speed,and adjust the length L or height H to reduce wind turbulence duringmovement of aerodynamic guideway vehicle 10.

Cowlings 24 a and 24 b may continually provide an aerodynamic movementof aerodynamic guideway vehicle 10 during transport of intermodalcontainer 22 or 38. When transport of intermodal container 22 or 38 iscomplete, the process ends in act 110.

Although the present disclosure has been described with severalembodiments, a myriad of changes, variations, alterations,transformations, and modifications may be suggested to one skilled inthe art, and it is intended that the present disclosure encompass suchchanges, variations, alterations, transformation, and modifications asthey fall within the scope of the appended claims.

1. An aerodynamic transport system comprising: a guideway vehicle thatis operable to transport an intermodal container over a guideway systemcomprising a guideway coupled to a running surface, the guideway vehiclehaving a first end, a second end, and an upper support surface forsupport of the intermodal container; two cowlings coupled to each of thefirst end and the second end of the guideway vehicle, each of the twocowlings having an outer surface that slopes upwardly from the uppersupport surface to a cowling edge, the each cowling having a length anda width that are adjustable such that the cowling edge is operable to bedisposed essentially adjacent the intermodal container; and a computercontroller coupled to the two cowlings, the computer controller operableto measure a wind direction, wind speed, or turbulence around the twocowlings, and adjust a height and a length of the cowling according tothe measured wind direction, wind speed, or turbulence.
 2. Anaerodynamic transport system comprising: a guideway vehicle thatoperable to transport an intermodal container over a guideway system,the guideway vehicle having a first end and an upper support surface forsupport of the intermodal container; and a cowling coupled to the firstend of the guideway vehicle, the cowling having an outer surface thatslopes upwardly from the upper support surface to a cowling edge, thecowling edge configured to be placed proximate the intermodal container.3. The aerodynamic transport system of claim 2, further comprising asecond cowling that is coupled to a second end of the guideway vehicle.4. The aerodynamic transport system of claim 2, wherein the cowling hasa length that extends from the first end towards the second end, thelength being adjustable such that the cowling edge may be disposedessentially adjacent the intermodal container.
 5. The aerodynamictransport system of claim 4, wherein the length of the cowling ismanually adjusted.
 6. The aerodynamic transport system of claim 4,further comprising a computer controller coupled to the cowling, thecomputer controller operable to measure a wind direction, wind speed, orturbulence around the cowling, and adjust the cowling length accordingto the measured wind direction, wind speed, or turbulence.
 7. Theaerodynamic transport system of claim 2, wherein the cowling has aheight that extends upwardly from the support surface, the height beingadjustable such that the cowling edge may be disposed essentiallyadjacent the intermodal container.
 8. The aerodynamic transport systemof claim 7, wherein the height of the cowling is manually adjusted. 9.The aerodynamic transport system of claim 7, further comprising acomputer controller coupled to the cowling, the computer controlleroperable to measure a wind direction, wind speed, or turbulence aroundthe cowling, and adjust the height according to the measured winddirection, wind speed, or turbulence.
 10. The aerodynamic transportsystem of claim 2, wherein the guideway system comprises a centralguideway that is operable to direct the path traveled by the guidewayvehicle.
 11. A transport method comprising: providing a guideway vehiclehaving a first end, a second end, and a support surface, the guidewayvehicle comprising a cowling coupled to its first end and having anouter surface that slopes upwardly from the first end to a cowling edge;and placing the intermodal container on the surface such that thecowling edge lies proximate the intermodal container.
 12. Theaerodynamic transport method of claim 11, wherein providing a guidewayvehicle comprises providing a guideway vehicle comprising a secondcowling having a second cowling edge coupled to its second end, andwherein placing the intermodal container on the surface comprisesplacing the intermodal container of the surface such that the secondcowling edge lies proximate the intermodal container.
 13. Theaerodynamic transport method of claim 11, further comprising adjustingthe length of the cowling to dispose the cowling edge essentiallyadjacent to the intermodal container.
 14. The aerodynamic transportsystem of claim 13, wherein adjusting the length of the cowlingcomprises manually adjusting the length of the cowling.
 15. Theaerodynamic transport method of claim 13, wherein adjusting the lengthof the cowling comprises measuring a wind direction or a wind speedaround the cowling, and automatically adjusting, using a computercontroller, the length of the cowling according to the measured winddirection or the wind speed.
 16. The aerodynamic transport method ofclaim 11, further comprising adjusting a height of the cowling such thatthe cowling edge is essentially adjacent the intermodal container. 17.The aerodynamic transport method of claim 16, wherein adjusting theheight of the cowling comprises manually adjusting the height of thecowling.
 18. The aerodynamic transport method of claim 16, whereinadjusting the height of the cowling comprises measuring a wind directionor a wind speed around the cowling, and automatically adjusting, using acomputer controller, the height of the cowling according to the measuredwind direction or the wind speed.
 19. The aerodynamic transport methodof claim 11, wherein transporting the intermodal container along theguideway system comprises transporting the intermodal container along aguideway system comprising a central guideway.
 20. The aerodynamictransport method of claim 11, further comprising transporting theintermodal container along the guideway system.